CWU SUPPORTERS NETWORK 

At this stage the Supporters network is not about offering CWU membership and will be used as set out above to gather email data for our campaigning work. As the network develops the approach will be reviewed over the coming months to consider whether it can help support our broader organising and recruitment strategy.

In the meantime, with the ongoing dispute in Royal Mail Group timing could not be better. The page will ask people to support us by signing up via their email address and in return we will send updates, resources and key campaign activities on a regular basis.

CWU Supporters will give us the chance to broaden the appeal and reach of our work and we urge every branch, representative and member to share the link as widely as possible and get all of your friends and family signed up.

This development will further raise the profile of the CWU whilst also supporting our core work.   We will update branches on sign-up levels in the coming weeks.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to gsoffice@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary 

19LTB625 cwu supporters network

POST OFFICE: BEIS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT PUBLISHED FOLLOWING INQUIRY INTO THE POST OFFICE NETWORK

Further to LTBs 215, 305 and 398/19. The Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee has today published its report following the inquiry into the Post Office Network earlier this year. We obviously welcome today’s report, the clear and strong recommendations and in particular the call on the government and/or Post Office to:

• Reconsider the ill-conceived strategy of privatising Crown   Offices
• Fairly reward all hard-working Postmasters
• Involve the CWU in the working group for Postmasters’ pay
• Extend the Network Subsidy Payment beyond 2021 giving  long term certainty for Postmasters

The full report can be accessed by using the following link:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201920/cmselect/cmbeis/247/247.pdf

As Branches will be aware, this inquiry came about following the Union’s activities including our “Save the Post Office” campaign against Crown Office franchising. The inquiry, which was announced on 5th April, received 59 submissions and held two oral evidence sessions in Westminster. Andy Furey gave oral evidence at the first session held on 21st May and the Post Office Minister, Kelly Tolhurst MP gave evidence at the second session on 25th June. 

The CWU submitted two written reports to the inquiry, the second of which focused on Postmasters’ pay and our call for worker status and rights to collective bargaining for our Postmaster members. The 12 key recommendations from our first submission and the full report from our second submission (“Supplementary evidence”) are attached to this LTB for ease of reference, along with our press release of this morning.

In a press statement released alongside the report (attached), Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the BEIS Select Committee states:

“Post offices are a crucial public service and perform a vital social role in our struggling high streets, helping to fill the gaps left by retreating banks. But our Post Office system is under threat. Sub-postmasters are working long hours and struggling to make a living, and the retailers running Post Offices are finding it hard to make them viable. If we want to avoid a bleak future of post-office closures, the Government needs to step forward with a long-term funding commitment beyond 2021 to support the Post Office network.”

The BEIS Committee press statement also notes:

“The report is critical of the outcome of the rush to off-load Crown Post Offices, leaving services being handed over to WH Smith, a retailer poorly rated by consumers, with a record of paying suppliers late and who are not accredited to the Living Wage Foundation. The report disagrees with the strategy of closing Crown Post Offices and recommends the Post Office Ltd and the Government reconsider.”

The report is also highly critical of the recent decision by Barclays bank to not sign up to the “Banking Framework 2 Agreement” with the Post Office (despite 27 other banks doing so), which allows Barclays customers to access cash from Post Office counters around the country. This was scheduled to take effect from 8th January 2020. However, due seemingly to pressure from various sources including Ministers, MPs, charities and consumers, Barclays announced last night that it was reversing its decision and would now be signing up to the Banking Framework 2 Agreement with the Post Office for the next three years. The associated Barclays press statement, along with the original statement of 8th October is attached to this LTB for your information. Also attached is the Post Office’s communication of 24th October. Rachel Reeves states the following about Barclays’ decision in the BEIS Select Committee press statement: 

“Barclays has finally read the writing on the wall and caved to public and political pressure to dump this woefully misguided policy. I met with Barclays yesterday and as a Committee we were very keen that they should face proper public scrutiny for their actions. The BEIS Committee has called out this egregious behaviour towards customers and we welcome the fact that Barclays has belatedly realised the game is up on this policy.”

A further LTB with our full analysis of the BEIS report, in conjunction with our Research Department will follow and any further developments will be reported.

If you have any questions in relation to this LTB, please contact Lea Sheridan – lsheridan@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey – Assistant Secretary               

Terry Pullinger -Deputy General Secretary Postal                            

Dave Ward – General Secretary

19LTB623 – Post Office – BEIS Select Committee Report Published Following Inquiry into the Post Office Network

Attachment 1. 12 Key Recommendations from the CWU Submission to the BEIS Select Committee Inquiry

Attachment 2. CWU Supplementary Evidence to BEIS Committee on the Post Office Network

Attachment 3. CWU Response to BEIS Select Committee Report into Post Office Network

Attachment 4. BEIS Select Committee Press Statement 24.10.19

Attachment 5. Barclays press statement 8th October

Attachment 6. Barclays and the Post Office Banking Framework

Attachment 7. Post Office Communication

Chris Flinn – former NCU National Executive and retired Gold Badge member

We are writing to inform you that Chris Flinn, a former NCU National Executive and retired Gold Badge member, passed away on Thursday 17th October 2019. He joined the Post Office Telephones on 16th September 1955 and the POEU on employment and then went on to take up official roles and actively served the Union from 1961, originally with POEU Warrington Branch from 1961 and then South West Lancashire Branch, most of that time as the Branch Secretary. Chris had a forty-year career as a telephone engineer for Post Office Telephones, then with BT until he retired in 1993 but he continued his CWU membership. 

Chris has been unwell for some time and due to complications over the past few weeks, he eventually passed away after a bout of pneumonia.

Chris’s funeral has been arranged for 2.20pm on Thursday 31st October at Walton Lea Crematorium, WA4 6TB. Please note that there will be no church service prior to this. 

Afterwards, there will be a gathering at Warrington Sports Club, Walton Lea Road, Higher Walton, WA4 6SJ, where the family would be pleased to see any of his former colleagues which is a couple of minutes’ drive from the crematorium.

The family is happy to accept flowers/wreaths, if you wish to do. Alternatively, you can make a donation to the Blind Veterans UK. (for further information see: https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/)

Our thoughts are of course with Chris’s family at this sad time and on behalf of the CWU, I convey our deepest sympathy and condolences.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to gsoffice@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

19LTB621 – Chris Flinn – former NCU National Executive and retired Gold Badge member

CWU Young Workers Conference – Tuesday 21^st January 2020

The CWU Young Workers Conference will be held on Tuesday 21^st January 2020 at the Marriott City Centre Hotel, 2, Lower Castle Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS1 3AD

Each Regional Young Workers Sub Committee will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

Each Branch will be entitled to submit ONE motion to the Conference Agenda.

The Young Workers Committee will be entitled to submit THREE motions to the Conference Agenda.

Motions should be submitted electronically to conferences@cwu.org using the template attached. Branches or Regions who do not have this facility may request paper motion forms by contacting Angela Niven on 020 8971 7256.

Motion forms must be returned by midnight on Tuesday 10^th December 2019. Anything received after this date will not be accepted.   All sections of the form must be completed.

Branches, Regions and the Young Workers Committee are reminded that the Standing Orders Committee will not alter or amend any of the motions submitted therefore it is important that motions are checked before they are submitted.

If motions are being sent electronically they will only be accepted if sent to the above email address.

As with previous Conferences, the agenda will be structured in such a way as to maximise debate and participation by delegates. There will be 2 sections to the agenda, one for motions which are eligible for consideration for submission to General Conference, and one for motions that in the view of the Standing Orders Committee are of an industrial nature which are eligible for submission to the Industrial Conferences.

Branches will be aware that the Young Workers Conference has the entitlement under the rules of the union to submit two motions to stand in the name of the conference to General Conference.   The Young Workers Conference may also submit one motion for either the Postal Industry or Telecoms Industry conference from Section 1.

The motions selected for General Conference must contain policy that lies within the responsibility of the NEC, likewise Industrial motions must be able to be carried out by the relevant Industry Executive (Motions for the Telecoms Conference must also refer to a specific business-see attached motion guide).

As with previous Conferences, the motions for submission to the General Conference agenda and the Industrial motions for the Industry Conferences will be decided from amongst those motions adopted at the Conference. Ballot(s) to select the motions will be held at the Conference.

(a)Delegates

Details for registering delegates and observers will be issued in a further LTB. Any queries regarding the registration process should be directed to conferences@cwu.org

Regional Young Workers Sub Committee Secretaries shall attend Young Workers Annual Conference in an ex-officio capacity with the right to speak and move motions on behalf of their Regional Young Workers Sub Committee but not to vote.   Funding for Regional Young Workers Committee Secretaries to attend Young Workers Annual Conference shall be from the General Fund.

Branch delegate entitlement to this Conference as agreed by the NEC is as follows:

Branches are urged to make every effort  to  ensure that  their delegation  comprises members  who are either  30 and under  as  of  October or who are serving Branch Young Workers.  The expectation is that voting delegates aged over 30 will be present on an exceptional basis. 

In order that we can cater for any delegate with special needs such as seating, etc., it is important that you advise us in writing of the name of the delegate(s) and the particular requirement by return but no later than Tuesday 10^th December 2019.

b) Election of Delegates to General Conference

As you will know, the Young Workers Conference will select two delegates to represent the Young Workers Members to attend General Conference 2020.

The Standing Orders for the Young Workers Conference will advise a ballot to select these two delegates and it will be conducted during Conference itself. Nominees must be members of the Union and have the support of their branch and/or Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Additionally, individuals must be willing to accept nomination.

The exception to this are members of the Young Workers Committee themselves who may be proposed for these positions but need to have the nomination of the Young Workers Committee and/or any Regional Young Workers Sub Committee.

Branches and Regional Young Workers Committees should forward any nominees on the attached form for this ballot to conferences@cwu.org

Yours sincerely,

A P Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

19LTB622

Copy of 30 Under Count – 24th October 2019

Young Workers Guidance 20

Young Workers Motion Form 20

Nomination Form

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) – On Line Training Courses For Trade Union Reps (‘Just Transition’, Climate Change Awareness & Air Quality):

The Greener Jobs Alliance, campaigns around greening the workplace, climate change and environmental issues and was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The GJA has worked closely with the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department since its creation by GJA Secretary and former TUC Tutor Graham Petersen.

The GJA launched its new and updated training materials and courses for unions and their supporters at this year’s TUC last month.

Here is an outline of the three GJA on-line short courses:-

A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition (New)

The GLA hopes this new course will act as a new resource going forward. There is a crucial need for a course that explores the meaning of the term ‘Just Transition’ and why it should be a priority for unions. Importantly, the course contains plenty of examples of positive case studies as well as guidance on how to implement it in the workplace. As always, the GJA is interested in feedback on how the course was used and how it can be improved. Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy.

The course covers:

• The meaning and history of the term “Just Transition”
• Why it should be a priority issue
• UK and international policies and case studies
• Ideas for developing an action plan

It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why “Just Transition” should be central to climate change policy.

[Just Transition is a framework developed by the trade union movement to encompass a range of social interventions needed to secure workers’ rights and livelihoods when economies are shifting to sustainable production, primarily avoiding waste, pollution and climate change and protecting biodiversity and the Environment.]

Climate Change Awareness (updated)

This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change. The course is divided into 4 modules. The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.

Module 1:  Climate Change Explained
Module 2:  International Responses
Module 3:  Trade Union Responses
Module 4:  Getting Involved

At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.

Air Quality – a trade union issue (Updated)

The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules.

Module 1:  The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
Module 2: The Law and Government Policy
Module 3:  Trade Union Responses and Campaigns

To Access the Courses go to:- http://www.greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/courses/

Further Information From:-

Graham Petersen, GJA Secretary
Tel: 07879 492339
Email: gjacoms@gmail.com

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB619 Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) – On Line Training Courses For Trade Union Reps

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No 22 September-October 2019

The Greener Jobs Alliance was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy.

The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps.

The GJA came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC.

Newsletter 22 cover the Youth Climate Strike on 20 September as well as the plan, agreed at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual conference in Brighton on September 10th, backed by the CWU and a new GJA online course on ‘Just Transition’. The GJA launched its new training materials for unions and their supporters at the TUC Conference in September and the GJA hopes it will act as a new resource going forward. There is a crucial need for a course that explores the meaning of the term ‘Just Transition’ and why it should be a priority for unions.

Importantly, the course contains plenty of examples of positive case studies as well as guidance on how to implement it in the workplace. As always, the GJA is interested in feedback on how the course was used and how it can be improved.

See attached September-October GJA Newsletter No 22.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

19LTB618 Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No 22 September-October 2019

GJA-Newsletter-22-SeptOct-2019-FINAL